Help move monument, preserve history

Our View

September 24, 2012

Monumental move

One local veteran is working to move the Petoskey World War I memorial to a more central location, and he could use our help.

Gordon Wiitanen, an 85-year-old Petoskey resident who served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1966, is raising funds to facilitate the monument's move from Mineral Well Park on the east bank of the Bear River on Lake Street to Pennsylvania Park in downtown Petoskey.

Pennsylvania Park is the site of numerous other monuments commemorating local military veterans -- including the World War II/Korean War monument relocated there in 2011 from West Mitchell Street. Wiitanen was also part of the fundraising efforts for that monument's relocation, a fund drive which was spearheaded by members of Petoskey High School's class of 1949.

A plaque on Petoskey's World War I memorial lists the names of 37 local residents who sacrificed their lives in the early 20th century military conflict. Wiitanen sees the memorial's current location a bit out of the way, making it difficult for those sacrifices to enter the public's consciousness.

"I can't ignore the veterans," he said.

Let's lend Wiitanen our help in reaching the $4,000 goal to relocate the World War I memorial. Send monetary donations, made payable to the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, 616 Petoskey St., Petoskey, Mich. 49770. Checks should specify "World War I monument" on the memo line.

Judicial honor

90th District Court Judge Richard May will be retiring at the end of the month, about the same time he receives an award from his work on Michigan's jury reforms.

Judge May is one of 12 Michigan trial judges being honored for their involvement in the state's comprehensive jury reforms.

One such change will allow jurors to take notes -- something May said he has allowed jurors to do for the last 17 years. Another allows jurors to have copies of the jury instructions relating to the elements of the offense, rather than just hear them read aloud, he said.

The trial judges, along with the Michigan Supreme Court, will be presented with the 2012 G. Thomas Munsterman Award for Jury Innovation on Tuesday, Oct. 9, in the old supreme court courtroom in the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing. The award is given annually by the National Center for State Courts.

"I was asked (to participate in the pilot project) by the supreme court because I have a history over the years of doing a lot of jury trials," May told the News-Review.

May said the effort began in 2005 and since then he and the other trial judges involved have been implementing the reforms in their courtrooms.

"These wide-ranging reforms allow jurors to be more truly involved in the process -- and, as a result, to make better-informed decisions," said Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr., in a prepared release.

Good work. Congratulations, Judge May.

Experience wins the game

Dick Harbaugh, 89, may have moved outside of the Petoskey city limits, but he will still be a voice of knowledge when it comes to local recreation matters.

City officials recently proclaimed Harbaugh, who served 38 years on the parks and recreation commission before his recent moved to a Bear Creek Township retirement community, to be a lifetime honorary member of the commission.

Given his longtime familiarity with local recreation programs, Petoskey Mayor Bill Fraser said he'd rather "keep Harbaugh in the game" than "put him on the bench."

Since he's no longer a city resident, Harbaugh can't formally be involved in the commission's decision making. But Petoskey parks and recreation director Al Hansen said the new designation allows Harbaugh to participate in discussions and offer advice.

"He has a very good historical perspective of what has happened in the community," Hansen noted.

Along with his parks and recreation commission service, Harbaugh has been involved in local sports and neighborhood activities in other ways. He was involved in the local Little League baseball program's formation, and until recently served as an announcer for softball games at Ed White Field along the waterfront.

The city was wise to keep Harbaugh in the game.

Remember this number: 2-1-1

Residents who need essential, non-emergency services, now have just one number to call -- 2-1-1 -- to be connected to information and resources.

Char-Em United Way spearheaded efforts to bring this new service to Emmet and Charlevoix counties.

"2-1-1 provides an essential lifeline to our community," said Martha Lancaster, executive director of the Char-Em United Way. "It gives residents peace of mind knowing they have someone to call 24 hours a day; someone who can connect them to the information and services they need without calling several numbers to be connected to the right person."

The new telephone system is available all day, every day, 365 days a years. Callers will be instantly connected with a trained specialist who can help with a variety of needs such as where to volunteer, information about after-school programs, senior care services, mortgage foreclosure information and much more.

"This is far more than directory assistance," Lancaster said. "Most of the services people are seeking through 2-1-1 are not easy to find in a phone book. Moreover, the information and referral specialists who take these calls help the callers identify additional needs in addition to their primary reason to call."

We appreciate the efforts of all those who worked to make 2-1-1 a reality, including the United Way, local businesses, foundations and organizations.

Get your motor runnin'

Motorcycles rumbled through Northern Michigan recently not on an early color tour, but to make sure area children have a present on Christmas morning.

The 24th annual Northern Knights Motorcycle Club charity run began in Boyne City and roared through Boyne Falls, Alanson, Pellston, Burt Lake, Indian River and Petoskey. Riders collected toys and cash along the way, all of which will be split evenly between the Salvation Army organizations in Emmet and Cheboygan counties to be distributed to local kids.

Club president Tony Slowinski said past charity runs have raised $5,000 in cash and hundreds of toys.

A worthy endeavor, indeed. Thank you, Northern Knights.

Preserving our past

Boyne City has the opportunity to restore a precious piece of its past, thanks to a donation by a downtown building owner.

Brian Asher owns the building that houses the theater in downtown Boyne City and an adjacent business, the Thirsty Goat. Asher recently offered to donate the theater to Boyne City's Main Street program so that it can be restored and used as an arts venue.

The building was built in 1903 and was known as The Bellamy Opera House. It is located in today's SoBo arts district in downtown Boyne City.

"As an arts district, having an open theater and performance venue would be a benefit to Boyne and the surrounding communities," said Asher.

"This is an opportunity for us to restore a historic landmark and add vibrancy to our downtown," said Hugh Conklin, Main Street manager. "It's a tremendous opportunity."

Conklin said the city doesn't currently have the resources to restore the theater.

"We'll have to be creative, volunteer. If we want this to be successful, we'll have to work together," he said.

The community spirit in Boyne City is strong and if channeled toward restoring this historic building, we foresee good things happening.

Let's do lunch

Do you have an interest in learning about unmanned aerial vehicles, flying in Alaska, a local steel fabricating company, Michigan history, the business of recycling, or the future of science education?

If yes, then plan on having lunch at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey.

The college's Luncheon Lecture series offers a variety of programs presented by local experts, along with a delicious lunch, all for the price of only $9. Events take place at noon in the library conference room and are scheduled on Fridays, Sept. 28, Oct. 19, Nov. 2, Nov. 16, Nov. 30 and Dec. 14.

The Luncheon Lectures are a perfect way to end your work week. Make your reservations today by calling (231) 348-6600 or emailing cmacinnis@ ncmich.edu.